Since we last heard word of Civilization's imminent Facebook conquest, it's been a long and anxious 11 months. Civilization Network was originally slated for a June 2010 release, but was delayed until, well, right about now. Now named Civ World, the Firaxis-developed game will launch a closed alpha testing phase on Jan. 12. While anyone can join using Facebook Connect at this website, potential testers will need to sign up in groups of no less than five and no more than 50. (Acceptance messages will be distributed Jan. 10.) This is so the Civ World team can more easily test the game's social features, according to a lengthy post on the Civ World Facebook page written by the mastermind behind Civilization, Sid Meier.

The ubiquitous "Add Me" thread has already begun and is over 200 comments long, so don't worry about any potential lack of friends to play with. Meier has apparently opted for transparency going forward with Civ World, describing the reason for the name change from Civilization Network to Civ World:

Why a name change you say? The name better reflects the main theme of the game; in Civ World you will be joining your friends to form nations, which will compete with other player-nations to rule the world. Civ World's shaping up to be a really fun Facebook game, as well as another addictive Civilization experience.

Find more details on Civ World after the break. Another reason why Civ World, like most social games, will require you to have plenty of friends to succeed and eventually rule the world (insert maniacal laughter here) is because you will need to collaborate with friends in order to do well, according to Meier. However, friends--even those on the same team--can just as easily become enemies and forge alliances with your opponents.

Surprisingly, Civ World will play much like its source material, according to Meier, with each game having both a beginning and an end. This is far different from most traditional Facebook games, but then again this is going to be far from your run-of-the-mill city builder. Game sessions will end with the most advanced player victorious, but Meier goes on to explain what will keep players coming back for more:

Along the way, as you progress through the different eras of time, you'll have the chance to win era victories as well. We want players to have both a final goal to work towards, as well as short-term objectives to achieve as they play. The trophies you unlock with your triumphs will carry over from game to game, and you can show them off in your throne room.

Consider this somewhat of an achievement system for Civ World, which is already featured in Civilization 5. Some features that we're still in the dark about include combat, map design and virtual goods among a long list that surely the more dedicated Civilization fans have already compiled and sent to Firaxis in a neatly organized letter. Either that or they've thrown their questions with reckless abandon among the litany of "Add Me" posts. For now, we're going to go with the latter.

[Via Inside Social Games]

Are you excited to play Civ World? How do you think Firaxis will handle features like combat, maps and virtual goods? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment.